As
soon as the grass replaces the snow on the slopes, mountain
biking and hiking enthusiasts know it's time to tune up
their bikes, lace up their hiking boots and head for the
hills surrounding Park City. With over 100 miles of public
trails available to explore by bike, foot or on horseback,
visitors can enjoy an endless choice of mountain excursions,
ranging from mellow, scenic strolls, to the adrenaline-raising
thrills our steeper terrain can provide. Either way, guests
love the easy access into the bounties of nature that
make Park City's landscape such a cherished summer destination
for so many.

"What
makes Park City so unique for mountain biking," says Troy
Duffin, executive director of the town's Mountain Trails
Foundation, "is that you can access most of our trails
from town, without ever having to get in a car."

All
three of Park City's ski resorts offer mountain biking
and hiking. Deer Valley Resort
regularly hosts national and international mountain bike
competitions on their slopes. They apply the same white
glove touch their ski product is known for to their fully
developed mountain bike program. Deer Valley offers chairlift
access (hang your bike from a hook on the side) to over
50 miles of single- and double-track trails for the beginner
to the advanced mountain biker. Open mid-June through
mid-September (conditions permitting), guests can purchase
lift tickets, rent equipment and even sign up for lessons
or tours at the Sterling Lift located near Silver Lake
Village, mid-mountain at the resort. The lift accesses
all trails and is open Wednesday through Sunday and holidays,
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., weather permitting. The cost is
$15 per person for an all-day pass and $8 for a single-ride
pass. For mountain bikers who prefer cycling up the mountain,
trails are open for the purpose at no cost. Hikers can
also take the lift for $7 per ride and then either hike
or ride the lift back down after taking in the majestic
scenery.

View
the weathered mine buildings and historic relics on Park
City Mountain Resort's 27 miles of trail open
to mountain biking and hiking enthusiasts. New this summer,
the Resort will open their PayDay Chairlift to offer scenic
rides and mountain biking and hiking access. Also new
this summer is the opening of the Spiro Trail, encompassing
three miles and a 1,140' elevation! Last year the resort
added five new designated biking and hiking trails including:
Silver King Loop, Scott's Pass Trail, Thaynes/Jupiter
Loop, Walker/Webster Trails and Wasatch Crest Rail Access.
A free summer trail map is available at the resort.

Park
City Mountain Resort also opens the King Road to bikers
and hikers each summer. A former mining route, the road
is accessible from the area's southern end, just up from
Park City's historic Main Street. Skilled mountain bikers
will enjoy the challenge of Sweeney Switchbacks and the
Shadow Lake Loop trails, both accessible from Park City's
"Old Town" area.

The
Canyons,
Park City's newest resort, also offers mountain biking
and has prepared its trails for both recreational and
competitive use. Although there's no lift-served mountain
biking or hiking, guests are welcome to enjoy The Canyons'
gentle or challenging slopes for either biking or hiking
at no charge.

If
you want to span all three ski resorts in one day, try
the locals' favorite: the Ridge
Ride. Two new town trails will open this summer:
eight miles of gentle rolling hills in the Round Valley
area, located near the intersection of highways 40 and
248, and the Quarry Mountain Trail off of Highway 224,
meandering by streams and through some of Park City's
most picturesque pastureland.

Park
City's Rail Trail bicycle
route opened in the fall of 1992 with 29 miles of public
trail. Rails-to-Trails is a nationwide program converting
abandoned rail lines for multi-use recreational purposes.
The trail is open not only for fat-tire bikes, but for
horseback riding, jogging and nature walks as well. On-road
cyclists will enjoy scenic rides through Park City's historic
district, or on the country roads that meander through
nearby farming communities.

A
number of Park City sporting goods stores and bicycle
shops rent bicycles and helmets, and provide mountain
biking/hiking trail maps, lessons, public rides and advice.
Prices for bike rentals range from $15 for one-half day
to $25 for a full day. A number of local hotels also provide
mountain bike rentals on site for their guests.

Mountain
bike enthusiasts of all levels shouldn't miss the Park
City Pedalfest on June 19, or the NORBA National
Mountain Bike Races at Deer Valley, July 22-25.

A
free Park City Biking/Hiking Guide, complete with descriptions
of mountain bike rides and trail maps, is available at
locations throughout Park City and Salt Lake City. For
a copy of the map, a list of biking and hiking events,
or for more information on Park City's hiking and biking,
call the Park City Chamber & Visitors Bureau.